The FoCAN Constitution

The purpose of this organization is to provide a space for students to engage in topics of social justice, community, fair trade, and agroecological approaches. FoCAN emerged from UC Santa Cruz student support for AgroEco Coffee, the Community Agroecology Network’s (CAN’s) trade innovation program that supported equitable community development, food sovereignty, and environmental sustainability. By promoting fair trade direct, socially responsible products, notably coffee, FoCAN fosters a campus community that is concerned with the where and under what conditions their food, clothing, and other products are being manufactured.

Friends of the Community Agroecology Network (FoCAN) is soon to be entering our 11th season and still working to celebrate cultural identities and promote transborder

community initiatives centered around food sovereignty and solidarity economics through horizontal learning exchanges. Our projects cover many elements of the UCSC's Sustainability Blueprint: Social and Environmental Justice, Food Systems, Green Purchasing, and Academics and Curriculum. FoCAN has a history of leading sustainable food initiatives on campus starting in 2007 with the promotion of AgroEco Coffee, an ethically traded and sustainably sourced coffee that goes beyond Fair Trade.

In addition to the FoCAN weekly potluck style gatherings on Monday's from 6-8 pm, the Leadership Team meets once a week to check in and discuss major events and ongoing projects.

​The requirement for FoCAN membership is a desire to critically engage in our collective goals and to embrace the spirit of community building that is essential to our efforts. Anyone who has attended 3 or more FoCAN meetings can be an authorized representative/ volunteer at an outreach or tabling event. You ​must be a student and attend weekly FoCAN gatherings to qualify as an authorized FoCAN member. Each FoCAN member will attempt to promote the organization by participating in a least one tabling event on campus or at the farmers market per quarter. If you are not able to attend the meeting, communicate your absence to the FoCAN ActionEd Coordinator. FoCAN positions and events are made possible through University funds such as the Campus Sustainability Council (CSC).

The FoCAN Leadership Team will be charged with removing or replacing authorized FoCAN representatives/ volunteers. The issue of removal and the reasons will be introduced at a scheduled Leadership Team meeting. The volunteer in question will be notified by email and will be allowed to reply to accusations at the meeting. Nonviolent communications techniques will be employed. Leadership positions undergo a hiring process that includes: an application, resume, and interview by the existing Leadership Team.

A five-member student Leadership Team leads the organization, the positions include:

Marketing Assistant – Responsible for educational outreach around principles of ethical trade and those products that do go beyond mainstream certification through coordinating outreach efforts and collaborative events. The Marketing Assistant is the liaison between the organization and financial adviser, keeps transparent financial tracking and trains new student leadership team members.

4. Local Intercambio Coordinator- For Fall 2016, the Local Intercambio coordinator is responsible for planning and coordinating events related to Intercambio and provide a space where students can bridge the gap between academic ideals and sustainable campus food efforts. In charge of planning and facilitating planning meetings for Intercambio Spring 2017 during Winter and executing the event during Spring 2017.

Amendments to the constitution are welcomed from all FoCAN participants. Proposals must be brought up during a FoCAN weekly gathering or FoCAN Leadership Team meeting. They will be reviewed for discussion at the following week’s meeting by the entire FoCAN group. Final amendment decisions will be made by the FoCAN Leadership Team using a simple two-thirds majority vote.